Curb syrup separator



May 11, 1948. c. A. oLco'rT 2,

CURB SYRUP SEPARATOR Filed April 21, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 .sas/wvj/a/v #540 19 E 5 ear 6 m I nan-e Coca-D l7 BRAKE l o v I. lll 11' I I -$l/PPOT 46 M 7 I 14 L I H 1 1 6 45 H V? I 5/ 50 O O INVEANTOR CAI/155 ,4. 016077 ATTORNEY May 11, 1948. c. A. oLcoT'r 2,441,368

CURB SYRUP SEPARATOR Filed April 21, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR (7/4815? 4. 01 (0 rr ATTORNEY Patented May 11, 1948 CURB SYRUP Gharlesm... Olcott, West Milford: N=. I Application A'prilZl', 1945,,Serial No; 5895685 12" Claims;

This invention relates tocentrifugalmachines andrnore specifically to'the separation'of diifer ent syrups orliquids expelled-fromtliebasket oi'a sugar centrifugaljduring anoperatingcycle:

it is an object of this'invention-"to provide-inn proved means forsepar-ating the green "syrup -rrrmr the wash syrup in sugar'centrifuga-l's';

In the processing of sugar fromsugar'bear ing materials, such asmagm-a and massecu-itey the sugar bearing-material is introduced-- into a centrifugal machinecomprising a-basket suspend-- ed from a shaft; Surrounding"the-basketis a fixed casing, or curb: During the centrifuging process, sugar grains are retained' in'the-hasle'etand-liquids from the-sugar-bearing material are expelled through openings in the-basket 'andstri'ke the inner walls of" the curb and flow'downits sur f-ace to collecting means at the bottom of-the casing; These curb liquids-are-of twogeneral types; (I) that extracted from the wet sugarduring the purging step ofthe-centrifuging'cycle' (known as green syrup)- and (2)= that resulting from the spraying of a washing liquid against the interior of the walled u-p-sugar inthelo'asket anrl which is expelled to the surrounding: curb (known as wash syrup); In sugar refinin'g-it is'- important to be abltocollectthe'green syrup (with possibly some wash syrup mixed tl'iere with) and the'wash syrup-alone,separately? This has been accomplished heretofore by providing two annular troughs; one surrounding" the other; atthe=lottomof the casing and kiy means of suitable deflector platesguide one' t'ype' of c-urb' syrup into one trough-and. later guide the-sec cnd'type ofsyrupinto the-other. Various forms of deflector means havebeen used-in the-past but they have not been entirely satisfactory forcne reason or another; Some have had" a tend ency to stick and thus' not operate easily-orat the right time while others-haverequi'reda large amount of apparatus. The-present 'inventiomin' one of its primary aspects relates tothe allevia tion of these diffi'culties and disadvantages:

Itis' another object of this invention to pro vide novel means for controlling thewperation of a=mvab1e member for guiding the fliiiti in a= container during one time-periodtopne recep tacle and the fluid in this container during a later time period to asecond receptacle;

- It'is" afurther object of this invention topro vine in sugarcentrifugals a novel; positive-act 'ng; simple; non sticking means for -controlling theoperationof a deflector member for I guiding first greensyrupand them wash-i syrup each=- toits proper collecting-means:

2 The foregoing and other" objects are att ained' in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of tlils'*-invention=byproviding a heavy ring pivoted. at one point thereof for raisingand lowering an' annular deflector resting at its' outer edge on a shelf "within the -'-casingand overlying two annular gutters-at tl'ie -bottom of the casing; the raising" and lowering taking place at appropriate timesinthe centrifugmg cycle to causethe sepa-ration" of the'wash syrup from the green syrup;

When the clefii'ector is in its lower position, the passage-iortlie curb" liquid to the outer gutter is closed' and this-liquid fi'owst'o the' innerv gutter but when the-deflector is-in itsraised position, tlie-pa'ssage to the outer gutter is opened and as the"euro liquid' fiowseown the inside of the curlc it 'passes directly into-the outer gutter and hence cannot'reael'itheinnergutter.

In order to permit ease of inspection, maintenance and replacement, the base oi the=centr'ifflgal' machine is maderemovable fromthe. cur-lo which is: supported from brackets on the side (contrary to therusual practice wherein'the curb -is'supported from the'lcase "I -Hex inventionawill be moretreadiiyaunderstood: b'y -referring to the :following description taken in connection with:- the: accompanying. drawings forming apart thereofginwhich:

Fig. -12 is an elevation view; partly: in. cross.- sections taken in planes through. lines; I 1? in; Eig: 2', ofialverticalishaftrsuspension-typesugar centrifugali machina including; means in: accorde anceawith theain'ventionzfor: separating curbrsyrupsior liquids-g: I

111g; '2 fis asplaniviewsof: the machine of Fig:v 1

Eig. is etpamtialicrossesectional elevation view; withportions hrokeniawayf of theimachine ofrFig; lztaken'ziniaaplaarethrough zlinei 3.4-3: ofi-Eigz 2",: the curb syrup? separator rbeing; shown: irrth'e. raise d position};

Fig: .4: is: an; elevatiorrzview; ipartiallyfini cross=- section: taken: in a plane: through line: 4-4% of Eigi Z, .oiftheslower portion of: thezarrangement" oizIEig. llsliowingathea curb: bottom lowered: from itsmormalposition; and

' Figzr. 5cis'. a'adetaillview of; means ztoipreventxthez curb syrupvseparatonringffromrotating'.

Refer-ring: more? specifically toothe drawings,

Eigzll sh0Ws;;.by;Way-0fi example: for illustrative? purposes;- -a; sugar rcentrifugalimachine; I 0f 01: the:- verti'calshait typcwhich issuspcnded'ifronrover- Head beams and which machine is -proVidecl Witii'.

novel meanseinaccordancewithtliis invention for: controlling the* separation of thee two general kinds-of curb syrups; ii e. green-syrup -and-wash'= syrup, and is constructed in such manner that this controlling means is readily accessible in case of repair and replacement.

The centrifugal machine ID is suspended from a suspension head H provided with a pulley l2 which is turned by a belt I 3 from any suitable prime mover (not shown). The pulley is attached to a. vertical shaft or spindle M from which is suspended the usual mesh basket I5 adapted to rotate within a curb or casing l6. Surrounding the spindle I3 is any suitable braking means l1, preferably of the water cooled type.

The curb shell i6 (also see Fig. 2) is supported from the sides by brackets l8 attached to vertical support members In which are supported from horizontal beams 23. The bottom casting 2| of the centrifugal machine comprising the annular troughs 22 and 23 and the deflector mechanism to be described hereinafter is supported from the curb shell it by means of a plurality of bolts 24 circumferentially arranged around the shell and two or more cap screws 25. In the arrangement shown in the drawings, two diametrically spaced cap screws 25 have been provided. The lower threads of each of these screws 25 are encased in a tube 25 which is enclosed at the lower end and fastened to a nut 21 at the upper end. A hardened steel washer 28 is located under the head of cap screw 25 to prevent wear at this portion of the screw. Turning the cap screws 25 after the bolts 23 have been removed causes the bottom casting 2| to be raised or lowered. Rails 29 are provided under the casting 2| to support it when it is lowered, lugs 3|), of which there are preferably four, being provided to hold it in place on the rails. After the cap screws and the various piping and other connections have been removed the bottom casting 2! can be moved on these rails.

The annular gutters 22 and 23 in the bottom casting 2! are separated by an annular vertical partition member 3|. Overlying this partition is an annular deflector 32 resting on a shelf 33 at its outer edge and adapted to be raised and lowered. The deflector 32 may overhang the partition 3| as shown in the drawing or it may be made with a labyrinth seal fitting over the partition 3| as in the manner of the member 2| in Patent 728,737, issued May 19, 1903, to James W. Macfarlane, Or it may be machined to a syrup tight joint with the partition member as shown in Fig. 4 of Patent 703,728, issued July 1, 1902, to Adolf Holland. The joint 34 between the members 32 and 33 is carefully machined so as to be sufficiently tight against the flow of syrup such as is thrown off from the centrifugal basket l5 during the centrifuging process. Obviously, when the deflector 32 is raised a small amount, such as, for example, one half inchisee the position in Fig. 3), there is an opening at the joint 34 which will permit the wash water from the centrifugal basket to flow down the wall of the curb l6 into the outer gutter 23. When the deflector 32 is lowered to the position shown in Fig. 1, the opening 34 to the outer trough 23 is closed off and the syrup is thus compelled to run over the top of deflector 32 into the inner trough 22.

Troughs 22 and 23 are provided with suitable outlets (not shown). By way of example, these outlets may be similar to those disclosed in Fig.

4 of Holland Patent 703,728, issued July 1', 1902. Likewise there is provided a wash pipe (not shown), which may be of the type shown in this Holland patent, or other means for washing residual syrup off the wall of the curb I6 and for preventing the accumulation of sugar grains which might prevent tight closing of the joint 34.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a novel means of raising and lowering the 38 which is securely fastened to a shaft 39 Y mounted in bearings which may be equipped with stufiing boxes in casting 40. The casting 40 is suitably fastened to the bottom casting 2|.

Securely fastened to the shaft 39 but outside the box 23 is a lever 4| connected by a pin to a clevis 42 which in turn is fastened to a connecting rod 43' which at its other end is fastened to a piston 44- in an air cylinder 45, so arranged that the admission of air into the upper part of the cylinder presses the piston down, thus lowering lever 4| and raising lever 38. This has the effect of raising one side of the ring 35. A suitable cylinder of the type herein briefly shown and described is shown and described in greater detail in Olcott Patent 2,254,388, issued September 2, 1941 (see Fig. 3). The cylinder is preferably pivoted at its upper end around pivot 46.

To prevent the ring 35 from rotating due to vibration, the pocket 37 is closed at the ends so that the projection 35 cannot move laterally, and at the other side the partition member 3| has a projection i! engaging slot 43 in the ring 35. The means for preventing the deflector 32 from rotating is shown in Fig. 5. The screws 49 and 50 project into pockets 52 in projection 53 forming part of ring 35.

It is clear that when the ring 35 is tilted by raising lever 38, it will move upward at all points except at the fulcrum 31. To engage the ring 35, the deflector 32 is provided with the three cap screws 49, 53 and 5| spaced degrees apart (see Fig. 2). The screws 49 and 50 are located 60 degrees each side of fulcrum 31 as shown in Fig. 2 while the third screw 5| is mounted on the deflector 32 directly over the lever 38. It is obvious from Fig. 2 that the distance d from the fulcrum 3! to the line through screws 49 and 50 is approximately one fourth of the distance D from the fulcrum 31 to the screw 5|. Thus if it is desired to raise the deflector 32 by one half inch all around, for example, and the ring 35 is tilted so that the part thereof directly under screws 33 and 53 rises one half inch, then the part of the ring directly under screw 5| will rise two inches. Because of this, screws 49 and 50 are lowered until they almost touch the ring 32 while the screw 5| is adjusted so that there is a clearance, When the deflector 32 is in its closed position, of about one and one-half inches between the bottom of the screw 5| and the top of. the ring 35. Thus, in the operation of raising the deflector 32, when it is desired to cause the curb syrup to flow into the outer anular trough 22 at the desired point in the centrifuging cycle, the ring 35 is tilted by raising lever 38, and, at first, ring 35 will engage screws 49 and 50 and with a four to one leverage exert a large amount of pressure to disengage the deflector member 32 from the shelf 33 to which it may adhere due to the stickinessof the syrup. This breaks the joint and the continued tilting of the ring 35 causes it to engage screw 5| by the time screws 49 and 50 have been raised thre e-eighths of an inch. A

amass:

movementoi "lever 3 s-amountingito smadditionali one half inch, rise" of the end: underrtheering 3.5: raises the screws 49 and 50 and thehefiectordz, at that: point an additional? one: eighthiinch. Thus ati-the end of the: raising movement, thedeefiectors 32B is level I and the opening: atzthe-zjoint: 3Misone-half inchiall'around; bviously; the dimensions" given are merely by. way: of: example and other openings either: greater on less .thanone-halfinch maybe used"; 7

Principal: advantages of the arrangement: in accordance with this inventionare: (l1) there-is provided a. large leverage and slow: motion: for breaking the deflector'322awa-y from its j oint with the :shelf onzwhich'it rests, and-a more-*rapidmotion1to=secure a suitable opening once *thejoi-nt has-been broken; (2') it'permits operation-frame singlepoint outside-the curb and does not require aabail extending around the curb; WhiChdS -Objemtionableibecause it interferes with the installatiorr ot -"other apparatus around the. centrifugal: (3% the: lifting: arrangement .shownis lesscostly to manufacture. than other arrangementsfor this purpose; and (4) the arrangement is such that itrtis easy to inspect and maintain and to replace partsnthereoi; this latter being made possible by the easy removal of the bottom casting 2 by merely taking out 'the bolts 24and turning the two screws 25 together till-the. casting- 2-l rest's on=theerails 29. After thescreWsZS and the pin holding.- clevis 42' to the lever 4 have'been're'-- moved andiall'piping connections to the gutters disconnected, the bottom casting can be moved" forward onzthe rails 29-and inspected andserviced asrequired.

Although the present invention: has :beerrde-- scribed in terms'of an illustrative embodiment; it should'be realized that the invention-andits sev-' eral:features are susceptible of embodiment ina variety of tother forms. Hence the invention'ls-to' be; understood as comprehending sue-11 other forms as may fairly comewithin the spiritand letter of, the appended claims, For example; if the centrifugal shown'in the drawings is required fortuse-under conditions where the basket I 5 mayswing enough to hit the'side of theicurb; the-bottomtstructure' can be located at a: lowerlevel'so that thetopsof screws-49, filizand =55: clear the bottom ofthexbasket l5. r-This can'be'accomplished by making the curb shell larger in the'vertical direction. Furthermore; it isobvious that the operationofr the separatorcanbe effected'by use of; other-suitable means instead-of: by the 'pistonand cylinder shown or that" the cylinder: 45' can beaoperatediby any suitable fluid. Moreover, the control means can be either manual or automatic.

What is claimed 'is:-

1 Ina-centrifugal machine, a' suspended-bas het 'ad'apted to be rotated, acylindrical curb shell surrounding said basket, a base member includingseparate inner and outer annular troughs atthe bottom of said curbshell for collectimgiyliquid= which isexpelled from the basket'and flows down theinnerwal1 of the shell; said troughsbeing so positioned withrespect-to said curb shell that liquid fiowing"down said shell normally flowsinto' saidouter-trough only, an annular ledge project: ing inwardly from the curb shell above said-outer trough, a' movableannular 'deflectin'g'ring seated on'- said-ledge andex-tending 'inwardly to a overlying said troughs insuch a manner thatwhen saidring is seated liquidflowi-n'g' 'down the curbzshellii's 1 directedby said' defiecting'ring in-tof.

saidinner trough', and means f'or raising'saitl de flectingrringtoflvitsrseamon -said ledgeacomprisingz meansaforrapplyingdiftingr force: first :to'onepart of said deflecting ring to loosenit finmsaid ledgeand then;- after: said deflecting ring: has been raised at said one part by a predetermined amount, to anothenpart of said deflecting-ring also.

2; Inn a centrifugal machine, asuspended bas- Betadaptedto be rotated'; a cylindrical curb shell surrounding said basket; a base member includ ing separate innerand outen annular troughs at the bottom'pi said curb shell -for collectingliquidwhich is expelled-from the basket and news down the -inner'wa'll of the shell, said troughs being so positioned with respect to saidcurb-shell that liquid flowing-down said shell normally flows-into said"outer-trough'only, an-annular ledgeprojecting inwardly from the curb shellabove said outer trough; a movable annular deflectingring seated on=said ledge and extending inwardly to a point overlying said troughs in sucha manner thatwhen'said ring is seated liquid flowing'down thecurb shell is directed by said; deflecting: ring into saidinner trough, and means forraising said' deflectingring-oif its seat on said ledgecomprising a ring member positioned under said deflecting ringandprov-ided-at" one point on the lower surface -thereofwithza pivotseated within the eonfines of the-basememb'er; means for applying aliiting force to said=ringmember at alpoint substantially diametrically opposite the pivot point; and means for causing-said ring member to applylifting force-tosaid" deflecting; ring at the portion thereof opposite the pivot point but only after lifting force has-been first applied by said ring member to at least oneportionof-the deflecting ring nearer the pivot point;

3.- Ina centrifugal machine, a-suspended basketadapted to be rotated; a cylindrical curb 'shell surrounding said basket, a base member includmg -separate inner and outer'annular troughs at thebottom of'said curb shell-for collecting'liquid' which is expelled from-the basket and fi'ows down theinnerwall 'of the shell, said-troughs-beingso positioned'with respect to said curb shell that liquidffiowingdown'saidshell normally flows into said'fouter trough only, an annular ledge-projecting inwardly from the curb shellabove'saidouter trough, a- -movable annular deflecting ring seated said ledge and extending inwardly to apoint overlying'said" troughs in such a manner that whemsaid ring is seated liquidflowing down the curbzshell is directedby: said deflecting-ring into said inner trough; and-means forgraising said'defleeting ring-ofiitsseat on said ledge comprising a: ring member positioned under said" deflecting ring and provided at one point on the lower surface; thereof with a pivot seated within the con-- of'fthe base member; means forapplying a": lifting force to-said ring'member at a point substantially diametrically opposite the pivot point,and means for causing said ring member torapplyfliftingforce to said deflecting: ring at the portionthereofopposite the pivot point'but only after lifting force has beemfirst applied by said ring member-to atfleast-one portionofthe-deflectingring nearer-the pivot point, said lastmentioned meanscomprising a plurality of contact :devices depending from said deflecting ring to apply-lifting? force from said ring member to said deflecting ring; one diametrically opposite s the pivot point is contacted by said ring member only after the said other contact device has been contacted thereby.

4. In a centrifugal machine, a suspended basket adapted to be rotated, a cylindrical curb shell surrounding said basket, a base member including separate inner and outer annular troughs at the bottom of said curb shell for collecting liquid which is expelled from the basket and flows down the inner Wall of the shell, said troughs being so positioned with respect to said curb shell that liquid flowing down said shell normally flows into said outer trough only, an annular ledge projecting inwardly from the curb shell above said outer trough, a movable annular deflecting ring seated on said ledge and extending inwardly to a point overlying said troughs in such a manner that when said ring is seated liquid flowing down the curb shell is directed by said deflecting ring into said inner trough, and means for raising said deflecting ring ofi its seat on said ledge comprising a ring member positioned under said deflecting ring and provided at one point on the lower surface thereof with a pivot seated within the confines of the base member, means for applying a lifting force to said ring member at a point substantially diametrically opposite the pivot point, and means for causing said ring member to apply lifting force to said deflecting ring at the portion thereof opposite the pivot point but only after lifting force has been first applied by said ring member to at least one portion of the deflecting ring nearer the pivot point, said ring member having a protuberance on the lower part thereof which forms the pivot and which is seated with-' in a complementary indentation in the bottom of said outer trough.

5. The combination of elements as in claim 2 in further combination with means to prevent said ring member from rotating.

6. In a centrifugal machine, a suspended basket adapted to be rotated, a cylindrical curb shell surrounding said basket, a base memberineluding separate inner and outer annular troughs at the bottom of said curb shell for collecting liquid which is expelled from the basket and flows down the inner wall of the shell, said troughs being so positioned with respect to said curb shell that liquid flowing down said shell normall flows into said outer trough only, an annular ledge prolecting inwardly from the curb shell above said outer trough, a movable annular deflecting ring seated on said ledge and extending inwardly to a point overlying said troughs in such a manner that when said ring is seated liquid flowing down the curb shell is directed by said deflecting ring into said inner trough, and means for raising said deflecting ring off its seat on said ledge compris ing a ring member positioned under said deflecting ring and provided at one point on the lower surface thereof with a pivot seated within the confines of the base member, means for applying a lifting force to said ring member at a point substantially diametrically opposite the pivot point, and means for causing said ring member to apply lifting force to said deflecting ring at the portion thereof opposite the pivotpoint but only after lifting force has been first applied by said ring member to at least one portion of the deflecting ring nearer the pivot point, said lastmentioned means comprising three screws depending from said deflecting ring and spaced substantially 120 degrees apart, one of said screws being shorter than the other two screws and positioned substantially 180 degrees from the pivot point, whereby the other two screws are contacted by said ring member before said one screw is contacted thereby.

7. In a centrifugal machine, a suspended basket adapted to be rotated, a cylindrical curb shell surrounding said basket, a base member including separate inner and outer annular troughs at the bottom of said curb shell for collecting liquid which is expelled from the basket and flows down the inner wall of the shell, said troughs being so positioned with respect to said curb shell that liquid flowing down said shell normally flows into said outer trough only, an annular ledge projecting inwardly from the curb shell above said outer trough, a movable annular deflecting ring seated on said ledge and extending inwardly to a point overlying said troughs in such a manner that when said ring is seated liquid flowing down the curb shell is directed by said deflecting ring into said inner trough, and means for raising said deflecting ring oiT its seat on said ledge comprising means for applying lifting force first to one part of said deflecting ring to loosen it from said ledge and then, after said deflecting ring has been raised at said one part by a predetermined amount, to another part of said deflecting ring also, all of said lifting force being applied from a single control point outside said centrifugal machine.

8. In a centrifugal machine, a suspended basket adapted to be rotated, a cylindrical curb shell surrounding said casing, a base member including separate inner and outer annular troughs at the bottom of said curb shell for collecting liquid which is expelled from the basket and flows down the inner wall of the shell, said troughs being so positioned with respect to said curb shell that liquid flowing down said shell normally flows into said outer trough only, means for supporting said curb shell from the side thereof so that there is an open space below the bottom of the troughs, an annular ledge projecting inwardly from the curb shell above said outer trough, a movable annular deflecting ring seated on said ledge and extending inwardly to a point overlying said troughs in such a manner that when said ring is seated liquid flowing down the curb shell is directed by said deflecting ring into said inner trough, means for raising said deflecting ring oiT its seat on said ledge, and means for removably supporting said base member, ledge and deflecting ring from said curb shell, said last-mentioned means comprising a flange outside said curb shell and screw means for bolting s-ai'd flange to the base member and for allowing said base member to be lowered with respect to said curb shell.

9. A curb for a sugar centrifugal machine comprising a cylindrical curb shell, a base member including separate inner and outer annular troughs at the bottom of said curb shell for 001- lecting liquid which is expelled from the basket and flows down the inner wall of the shell, said troughs being so positioned with respect to said curb shell that liquid flowing down said shell normally flows into said outer trough only, an annular ledge projecting inwardly from the curb shell above said outer trough, a movable annular deflecting ring seated on said ledge and extending inwardly to a point overlying said troughs in such a manner that when said ring is seated liquid flowing down the curb shell is directed by said deflecting ring into said inner trough, and means for raising said deflecting ring off its seat on said ledge comprising means for applying lifting force first to one part of said deflecting ring to loosen it from said ledge and then, after said deflecting ring has been raised at said one part by a predetermined amount, to another part of said deflecting ring also.

10. A curb for a sugar centrifugal machine comprising a cylindrical curb shell, a base mem-. ber including separate inner and outer annular troughs at the bottom of said curb shell for collecting liquid which is expelled from the basket and flows down the inner wall of the shell, said troughs being so positioned with respect to said curb shell that liquid flowing down said shell normally flows into said outer trough only, an annular ledge projecting inwardly from the curb shell above said outer trough, a movable annular deflecting ring seated on said ledge and extending inwardly to a point overlying said troughs in such a manner that when said ring is seated liquid flowing down the curb shell is directed by said deflecting ring into said inner trough, and means for raising said deflecting ring off its seat on said ledge comprising a ring member positioned under said deflecting ring and provided at one point on the lower surface thereof with a pivot seated within the confines of the base member, means for applying a lifting force to said ring member at a point substantially diametrically opposite the pivot point, and means for causing said ring member to apply lifting force to said deflecting ring at the portion thereof opposite the pivot point but only after lifting force has been first applied by said ring member to at least one portion of the deflecting ring nearer the pivot point.

11. A curb for a sugar centrifugal machine comprising a cylindrical curb shell, a base member including separate inner and outer annular troughs at the bottom of said curb shell for collecting liquid which is expelled from the basket and flows down the inner wall of the shell, said troughs being so positioned with respect to said curb shell that liquid flowing down said shell normally flows into said outer trough only, an annular ledge projecting inwardly from the curb shell above said outer trough, a movable annular deflecting ring seated on said ledge and extending inwardly to a point overlying said troughs in such a manner that when said ring is seated liquid flowing down the curb shell is directed by said deflecting ring into said inner trough, and means for raising said deflecting ring off its seat on said ledge comprising a ring member positioned under said deflecting ring and provided at one point on the lower surface thereof with a pivot seated within the confines of the base member, means for applying a lifting force to said ring member at a point substantially diametrically opposite the pivot point, and means for causing said ring member to apply lifting force to said deflecting ring at the portion thereof opposite the pivot point but only after lifting force has .been first applied by said ring member to at least one portion of the deflecting ring nearer 10 the pivot point, said last-mentioned means comprising a plurality of contact devices depending from said deflecting ring to apply lifting force from said ring member to said deflecting ring, one diametrically opposite the pivot point and at least one other nearer the pivot point, the one device opposite the pivot point being shorter than said one device nearer the pivot point, whereby the one device opposite the pivot point is contacted by said ring member only after the said other contact device has been contacted thereby.

12. A curb for a sugar centrifugal machine comprising a cylindrical curb shell, a base member including separate inner and outer annular troughs at the bottom of said curb shell for collecting liquid which is expelled from the basket and flows down the inner wall of the shell, said troughs being so positioned with respect to said curb shell that liquid flowing down said shell normally flows int-o said outer trough only, an annular ledge projecting inwardly from the curb shell above said outer trough, a movable annular deflecting ring seated on said ledge and extending inwardly to a point overlying said troughs in such a manner that when said ring is seated liquid flowing down the curb shell is directed by said deflecting rin into said inner trough, and meansfor raising said deflecting ring off its seat on said ledge comprising a ring member positioned under said deflecting ring and provided at one point on the lower surface thereof With a pivot seated within the confines of the base member, means for applying a lifting force to said ring member at a point substantially diametrically opposite the pivot point, and means for causing said ring member to apply lifting force to said deflecting ring at the portion thereof opposite the pivot point but only after lifting force has been first applied by said ring member to at least one portion of the deflecting ring nearer the pivot point, said ring member having a protuberance on the lower part thereof which forms the pivot and which is seated within a complementary indentation in the bottom of said outer trough.

CHARLES A. OLCOTT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 703,728 Holland July 1, 1902 728,737 MacFarlane May 19, 1903 1,461,909 Jandos July 17, 1923 1,749,369 Behr Mar. 4, 1930 1,795,179 Olcott Mar, 3, 1931 1,820,374 Carlson Aug. 25, 1931 2,145,633 Roberts Jan. 31, 1939 2,254,388 Olcott Sept. 2, 1941 2,296,945 Olcott Sept. 29, 1942 

